HOVIP - Heads of the Valleys Innovation Programme

Heads of the Valleys Innovation Programme

delivered by business people for business people

Testimonials

"Joining the Innovation Programme is a massive eye opener, very creative and the content is outstanding. I don't think that there is an organisation that wouldn't benefit. A massive thumbs up!"

D. Davies, Abergavenny Fine Foods Ltd.

2010 Innovation Marketplace Event

Including the Heads of the Valleys Innovation Awards

The Spirit of Innovation
Driving Success in the Valleys…and Beyond

  • See video footage of the 2010 Awards and Marketplace event
  • Held on Thursday 24 June 2010 : Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel & Spa
    near Caerphilly
  • Speed Networking, facilitated by the Supplier Development Service)
Winners of the 2010 Innovation Awards Winners of the 2010 Innovation Awards
  • Exciting Exhibition with over 30 exhibitors
Winners of the 2010 Innovation Awards Winners of the 2010 Innovation Awards Winners of the 2010 Innovation Awards
  • Guest speaker: Arthur Davies, co-founder of Penderyn Whisky
  • Innovative Round of golf, with amazing prizes provided by Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel & Spa

Competition Results

WINNERS:

  • 1st Prize: Andrew Rowlands, Merthyr Tydfil Borough Credit Union
  • 2nd Prize: Maria Jones, The Garnsychan Partnership
  • 3rd Prize: Susan Brown, The Garnsychan Partnership

ANSWERS

  1. Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil was built in 1825 by William Crawshay, for a cost of?:
    • a) £3,000
    • b) £30,000
    • c) £300,000
  2. Joseph Parry, born in Merthyr Tydfil in 1841, was famous for his compositions both in Wales and the USA. What was the name of his childhood sweetheart?:
    • a) Angharad Jenkins
    • b) Bronwen Pugh
    • c) Myfanwy Llywellyn
  3. Which famous Welsh song was written by Evan James and his son James, two modest tradesmen living at Pontypridd in the mid nineteenth century?:
    • a) Hen wlad fy nhadau
    • b) Calon Lân
    • c) Cwm Rhondda
  4. In which year did Gwent as a local government cease to exist where it was replaced by the unitary authorities of Newport, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen, Caerphilly and Monmouthshire?
    • a) 1986
    • b) 1996
    • c) 2006
  5. During the Industrial Revolution, what was the worldwide nick name for Merthyr Tydfil?
    • a) The Iron Capital
    • b) The Iron City
    • c) The Iron Town
  6. Which actor came from the same town as Richard Burton?
    • a) Catherine Zeta Jones
    • b) Anthony Hopkins
    • c) Harry Secombe
  7. The last Welsh Prince of Wales was . . . ?
    • a) David
    • b) Owen
    • c) Llewelyn
  8. Which singer was born in Pontypridd?
    • a) Shirley Bassey
    • b) Tom Jones
    • c) Aled Jones
  9. Dylan Thomas sat Under Milkwood in a village called?
    • a) Lauargin
    • b) Llareggub
    • c) Llandeils
  10. Which river is the boundary between England and South Wales?
    • a) Taff
    • b) Terfi
    • c) Severn
  11. A large number of Welsh Towns start with Llan. Llan means?
    • a) River
    • b) Church
    • c) Hill
  12. Per square mile Wales has the world record for the most…?
    • a) Singers
    • b) Castles
    • c) Valleys
  13. Which village was the setting for the cult series "The Prisoner"
    • a) Porthmadog
    • b) Portmerion
    • c) Port Eynon
  14. Who is the Welsh poet who was known for his drinking? He wrote the poem "Do Not Go Gentle into the Good Night"?
    • a) Burton
    • b) Thomas
    • c) Jones
  15. If you left Wales by ship and sailed west across St. George's Channel which country would you come to?
    • a) Scotland
    • b) Ireland
    • c) France
  16. Who was the man who led the Welsh in an uprising against Henry IV in 1400?
    • a) Owain Glyndŵr
    • b) Oliver Cromwell
    • c) Owen Tudor
  17. Which English monarch was responsible for the union of England and Wales?
    • a) Henry VI
    • b) Henry VIII
    • c) Elizabeth I
  18. The Welsh are known for their love of choral music. What is the name given to the special music festivals that are held in Wales?
    • a) Eisteddfod
    • b) Kermess
    • c) Songfest

2010 Exhibitors

Sponsors

Partners

Exhibitors

  • Bevan Foundation
    New Ideas for a New Wales. Visit www.bevanfoundation.org
  • Bob Shepherd Associates

    Bob Shepherd Associates saves time and money for Businesses with practical Business Finance Development and Business Future Planning.  New Ventures or existing small busineses can take off with the help and guidance of Bob Shepherd and his team.

    Grow your business successfully with Bob Shepherd Associates.  Got a new business idea?  Get a free assessment when you visit us on Stand 15.

  • Build4Wales - The Wales Construction Cluster
    Build4Wales is a newly formed consortium and group of well established, professional companies associated with construction and home improvement. Members include an architect, a home building company, a bedroom supplier, a home energy specialist, a project builder, a window blinds manufacturer and a plasterer and decorative finish business.
  • Chwarae Teg Agile Nation
    New ways of working in the 21st century. Find out about this exciting new project which promotes gender equality, supports career advancement and contributes to the reduction of the pay gap. Visit www.agilenation.co.uk
  • Design & Manufacture Ltd
    Metal Manufacture
  • Dulux Design Service
    Interior design
  • EAM Consulting
    Technical authoring, maintenance consultancy and project management services
  • Taste of Enterprise
    Offering exciting opportunities to test market your business idea
  • Go Wales
    provider of graduate placements and training grants
  • ITConnectsU
    IT and communications. Visit www.itconnectsu.com
  • JDH Training & Consultancy Services Ltd
    Certified trainers in Sage 50 Accounts and Payroll. Visit www.jdhtraining.co.uk
  • JobMatch
  • Micaul Solar Ltd
    Renewable energy specialists
  • Mitchell Meredith Business Services Ltd
    We enable organisations to discover information that generates the wisdom to drive their business forward.
  • Payswyft
    Electronic bill presentment and payment system
  • Rhymney Brewery
    A brewery that makes cask ale, bottle beers and cans
  • Secure Wales
    A collaboration between the top providers of security and fire protection in Wales. Our services are used by government, public services and commercial companies. Secure Wales can provide help and advice on any aspect of security to help you beenfit form a safe working environment and secure property. Meet the partners on Stand 27. Visit www.securewales.co.uk
  • Shabby Chic Antiques
    presenting their unique vintage painted furniture - as seen in Vogue and on ITV’s 60 Minute Makeover. Exporting to the USA, China and Japan. Visit www.shabbychicantiques.co.uk
  • St Davids Foundation Hospice Care
    Hospice AT HOME provider throughout Gwent, with 28 retail charity shops
  • Symbiotic and Sustainable Systems
    Symbiotic and Sustainable Systems is an education, research and consultancy business in sustainability, global citizenship and outdoor learning.
    www.symbioticsustainablesystems.com
  • UWIC
    UWIC provides a contemporary, professional approach to industrial collaboration and access to hi-tech, state-of-the-art technology and facilities through the medium of consultancy, knowledge transfer, training, contract research, start-up support and student placements.
  • Valley Education Services Ltd
    Recruitment

Additional Support

Global Academy
  • SWCC
  • BT
  • Equinox
  • HSBC Bank plc
  • Capital Law
WAG logo

Heads of the Valleys Innovation Programme (HOVIP) aims to increase the capacity for innovation in businesses in the region. Phase 1 was KEF ESF Funded and hosted by Merthyr Tydfil College. HOVIP2 and HOVIP3 is supported by the Welsh Assembly Government HoV Regeneration initiative with the 5 HoV local authorities and is hosted by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.

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